Telegraph-key.



G. V. BUQUOI.

: TELEGRAPH KEY.

APPLICATION FILED 001. so, 1911.

1,036A3, Patented Aug.20,1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

5! woe/144 01 G. V. BUQUOI. TELEGRAPH KEY.

APPLICATION FILED 0O'1'.30,1911.

1,036 AQSQ Patented Aug. 20, 1912. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

G. VBzz zw i.

ami humus To'dZZ whom it may concern:

enoaen v. sooner, or ST. JAMES, LOUISIANA.

TELEGRAPH-KEY.

1 ,G36Aet3.

Specification of Letters Patent.

. Patented Aug. 2o, 912.

Application filed October 30, 1911. Serial No. 651,426.v

Be it known that I, GEORGE V. BUQUOI, acitizen of the United States, residing at St. James, in the parish of St. James and State of Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Telegraph-Keys, of which the following is a specificat on, reference being had to the accompanying drawin s.

Ihis invention relates to telegraph keys and has for its object to provide a key which will require lessenergy and thereby permit faster operation than the styles now commonly used. This object is accomplished by making. the sending of a number of dots in succession semi-automatlc, and so arranging the key that it is operated by a horizontal rolling motion ofthe hand rather than by a vertical staccato movement.

Another object of this invention 18 to provide an attachment which can be readily installed on thebrdinary type of telegraph key used, so as to reduce the cost of installing or substituting the same for the apparatus at present in use.

A still further object 15 to arrange the key so that it will prevent telegraphers and enable telegraphe'rs who have a tendency to the same to use the device for telegraphing, even when other types of keys make the same impossible for them.

Still another object is to provide means for adjusting the various parts and for making the action of the device as silent as possible. p v I In addition to these objects, are many others which will become apparent as the invention is more fully set forth.

In the construction shown in the drawings, by way of example, Figure 1 reprecents a plan view of a telegraph key embodying this invention, Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1. l ig. 3 is a detail of a portion of the device which can be substi tuted in an ordinary, telegraph key, in order to make the same embody this invention. Fig. 4 is an end elevation of Fig. 1; and Figs. 5 and 6 are details ,of parts of the device.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

In the construction shown in the drawings, 1 represents a base portion of the device, which is preferably constructed simiparalysis,

'- lar to that of an ordinary telegraph key and which has the ordinary threaded legs 2 and drawings. connected with the base 1, opens or closes the I 2 provided at the nd portion thereof, and

with wine: nuts 3 and washers 4 for the purpose of holding the. base portion securely to a table or the like.

5 is the ordinary switch used for opening and closing the telegraph circuit, it being secured to the base portion'by means of a screw 6 in. the well known manner.

The journal posts 7 and 7* which are provided with the screws 8 and 8, and nuts 9 and 9, for the purpose of ordinarily supporting the ordinary key are in the present case provided with contact points 10 and 10 a for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

Mounted on the back portion of the base 1 and secured thereto by means of the legs 2 and 2, is a plate 11, which forms the main supporting means of the instrument enibodying this invention. The leg 2 and also the plate 11 are insulated from the base 1 by an insulating member 12. A contact plate 13 is carried by the plate 11 out of contact with the base 1, as is clearly shown in the The movement of the switch 5 telegraph circuit in the well known manner, by making or breaking contact with the blade 13.

Referring to the base 11 in particular, it will be noticed that the back portion is provided with a projection 14, and a pair of standards 15 and 15 adjacent thereto and on each side of the base, theseuprights being provided with adjusting screws 16 and 16 therein for the purpose of limiting the action of the keys, in the manner which will be referred to.

17 and 17 are suitable nuts provided on the screws 16 and 16 for the purpose of securely locking the same in any desired position. Another standard 1.8 is provided at the front portion of the base 11 for the purpose of properly holdinr and arqusting the screw 19, which is rovided with a suitable 'locking nut 20. 1

mot-ion. Suitable locking nuts 23 and 23 are provided on the screws 22 'in order to lock the latter in any desired position. Secured to the outer portions of the levers 21 and 21 area pair of keys 24 and 24 made of any insulating material, but preferably of hard rubber, and one of them carries a screw 25 which serves'for the purpose of holding a compression spring 26 between the handles, so that the latter will be normally kept apart. The innerortion of the levers 21 and 21' are provide with spring extensions 27 and 27. The projection27 is provided with a' contact portion 28 that is arranged'to make and 'break contact with the contact point, and the other PIOjeCt-f ,ing part 27 has' a vibrator rod 27 secured to the end portion thereof and provided with adjusta le weights 30 thereon. This rod is arranged to abut against the rubberstop 29 on the' adjustable screw- 19 when the key is closed, and thereby mute its vibrator movement as will be hereafter explalne On the portion of the rod 27 adjacent to the energy to be exerted by the operator than the vertical movement usual in such a paratus. It is desirable to add; additional cap or handle 24 to one of the keys 24; and

24 in order to facilitate their operation;

The operation of the device is semi-automatic and is as follows: The arm of the operator is rested on the table and the hand is supported by the keys 24 and 24 which, by reason of the fact'that the key. levers have a horizontal instead of vertical niotion,

serve as a true 'support and save the wrist muscles of the operator thGStlfilIl due to the holding of the hand in an elevated position, as is-required on the ordinary instrument. The keys24 and 24 are loosely engaged between the thumb and forefinger, the thumb being on the outside of the key 24 with which dots are sent and the forefinger on the outside of the key 24 with which dashes are sent. To send dashes, a rolling motion of the hand to the left will, as is obvious, move the key 24 to the left swinging the key lever 21 on its pivot and causing the points 28 and 10 to contact, the spring 26 throwing the lever back and breaking the contact when the side pressure on the key 24 is released. Contacts made in this way atproper intervals to produce dashes, momentarily establish the. current through the leg 2, base 1, post 7, screws 8,

contacts 10 and 28, spring extension'27,"

lever 21, screws 22, projections 14, plate 11,

'and out through the leg 2. To send dots, the hand is rolled to the right throwing the key 24 to the right and swinging the lever 21 on its pivot, thus bringing the spring contact 32 against the contact 10 to' close the circuit. The rebound of the lever occas'ioned by the spring 32 is transformed by the extension rod 27 into a vibratory movement which action'again brings the spring 32 into contact with the point 10 repeating the contact automatically and sending over the hue a succession of electric impulses corresponding to dots "until the key 24 is released and the spring .26 allowed to throw the key outwardly to the left and bring the vibrating rod 27- against the rubber stop 29 onthe end of-the screw 19 whereby-the vibration ofthe key-lever is muted. It will thus be seen that the sending of a" succession ofdots". automatically follows the single actuation of the key 24, the number of dots sent depending upon; the len th of time that the key 24" is held against t e operationof the spring 26, and in this way the number of movements required of the operator to send a- Morse character is greatly reduced. At eachcontact between the spring 32 and the point 10* a circuit is established through the leg 2, the based, the post 7, the screw 8, contact point. 10-, the spring 32, spring clamp 31,-v1brator rod 27', spring 27, lever 21, screws 22 and 22", projections 14, base '11, and' out through the leg 2. When the instrument is not in use for sending, if the switch 5 is closed a circuit is established through the leg 2, the base 1, the screw 6, the switch 5, the plate 13, the plate 11, and. out through the leg 2.

It will be observed that the motion of the hand which breaks the contact with one key is in the same direction as that required to make the contact with the other key and as a result the one movement of, the hand serves both purposes, thus further reducing the number of movements required, in addition to the saving due the automatic repetltion by the vibrating lever of the initial imgulse imparted by the dot key.

bviously while. there is shown but one form ofthis invention in the drawings, it is not desired to limit this application for Letters Patent to that particular form or in any other way otherwise than necessitated by the prior art, as many modifications in the construction thereof may be made without departing from the principles thereof or coming within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed is 1. In a telegraphic instrument, the combination of a base in electric communication with the battery circuit, posts rising from the base, contacts carried by the posts, a

plate normally insulated from the base, a

switch to connect the plate and base, a proectlon from the plate, a pair of key levers arranged side by side and pivoted in the scribed, comprising in combination a basev was,

connection for horizontal movement, keys on one end of the levers and the other end of the. levers arranged adjacent thecontacts, a springextension formed on the endof one of the levers, and a weight adjustably mounted. on the spring extension whereby when the key is actuated mechanical v1: bration of the lever is set up to make and break the contact and automatically repeat the impulses.

2. In a telegraphic instrument, the 001111 bination of a base in electric communica'' tion with the battery circuit, posts rising from the base, contacts carried by the posts, a plate normally insulated from the base, a switch to connect the plate and base, a projection supported on the plate, a dot and a dash lever arranged side by side and pivoted intermediate of their lengths in the projection for horizontal movement, keys on one end of the levers and the other end of the levers'arranged adjacent the contacts, a stop arranged between the levers inter-- mediate their pivotal point and their contacts to limit their inward movement, a spring extension formed on the end of the dot lever, a weight slidably mounted on the spring extension whereby to set up a mechanical vibration of the lever when the key is actuated to make and-break the contact automatically to send a succession of dotsupon one movement of the key, and means arranged on that side of the lever opposite the contact to stop the vibration of the lever when the key is released.

3. A telegraph instrument of the class de proper, a plurality of journal members on 'said base, a plurality of adjustable screws having contact points thereon disposed in said members, an attachment secured to said base and insulated therefrom, a plurality of adjusting screws in said attachment,a plurality of levers supported by some of said screws, said levers being provided with contact points-thereon, for engagement with the first mentioned contact points, and means disposed'on said levers for controlling the action thereon, a post for limiting. the in ward movement of said levers, resilient means disposed between said levers so as' to keep the same normally against said post, and binding posts connected with said attachment and said base. I

4. In combination with a Morse telegraph base, an attachment comprising a base having a plurality of projections thereon, a plurality of. adjusting screws in said projections, a plurality'of levers pivotally secured in one of'said projections and arranged to come in contact with said screws, so as to be regulated 1n movement thereby and open and close the circuits, insulating handles for operating said levers, resilient means disposed between said handles for keeping the same normally-apart, a plurality of springs secured to said levers, a rod secured to one of said springs, a plurality of weights adjustably mounted on said rod, resilient means disposed onsaid levers for opening and closing the circuit, and a piece of rubher disposed on one of said adjusting screws and arranged to resiliently and silently control the movement of one of said levers.

I 5, In a telegraph instrument of the class described, an attachment comprising a base havinga plurality of projections thereon, a plurality of adjusting screws in said proections, a plurality of levers pivotally secured in one of said. projections and arranged to'come in contact with said screws,

so as to be regulated in movement thereby and open and close the circuit, insulating handles for operating said levers, and resilient means disposed between said handles for keeping the same normally apart, and a plurality of adjustably mounted weights on one of said levers.

6. In a telegraph instrument of the class described, an attachment comprising a base having a plurz'izfi'ity of projections thereon, a plurality of justing screws in said proections, a plin'ality'of levers pivotally secured in one of said projections and arranged to come in contact with said screws, so as to be regulated in movement thereby and open and close the circuit, insulating handles for operating said levers, resilient means disposed between said handles for keeping the same normally apart, a plurality of weights adjustably mounted on one of said levers, and means for controlling the movement of said levers, and resilient means disposed on said levers for opening and closing the circuit.

7. In a telegraph'instrument of the class described, an attachment comprising a base having a plurality of projections thereon, a plurality of adjusting screws in'said projections, a plurality of levers pivotally secured in one of said projections and arranged to come in contact with said screws, so as to be regulated in movement thereby and 0 oh and close the circuit,

insulating handles or operating said levers, resilient means disposed between said handles for keeping the same normally apart, a plurality of ad ustably mounted weights on .one of said levers, resilient means disposed on said levers for opening and closing the circuit, and a resilient member disposed on one of said adjusting screws and. arranged to resiliently and silently control, the movement of one of said levers.

8. In a telegraphic instrument, the combi nation with a Morse telegraph base, an attachment comprising a base having a plurality of projections mounted thereon, a dash key lever and a dot key lever mounted upon said base, each being independently Y sion beyond the contact point a single actuation of the key a mec amcal S and horizontally operable to close the circuit to send an impulse over the line, contacts mounted on said projections, said levers being arranged adjacent said contacts, the dot key lever having a weighted spring extenvibration is set up in the lever to repeatedly I {nake and break the contacts thereby to auto-'- ereb upon a i l 1,oaa',44s:

matically transmit a succession of impulses 10 and means adjustably mounted upon the base to mute the vibratin member.

signature in the Gpresence of two witnesses; 

